[CR]collecting and competence

(Example: Production Builders:Frejus)

From: "Paulie Davis" <paulieflt@email.com>
To: rocklube@adnc.com, jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2003 17:54:50 -0800
cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]collecting and competence

Brian wrote:
> There is room for every point of view with respect to bike collecting;
> but I prefer to ride them for the joy of being with my friends and a
> little to "show off" what is new in the Baylis camp. I love to see what
> everyone else has or has dug up also. If you don't ride it, how are we
> going to see it?

Thanks for the encouragement, Brian. As a bicyclist in love with this 70's/80's art form, and trying to become a cyclist as an older woman, I get glimpses some days of *why* certain marques are so very special. This was one such afternoon. It had been a week from hell with health problems at our house, but my *new* ebay Pogliaghi was finally done. The sidewalk ride was quick: seat too high, nose too high, brake too loose. Back to the bikeshop for a fast fix then up to the top of the hills above our house. Birds, very few cars, and some silence adorned what was a very surprising ride for me.

This bike was so straight and true. Everything just felt *together*; it rode so beautifully. Virtually a new bike in almost every respect. Wow. My Technomic stem's so high real collectors will laugh. Body's kinda old and creaky. But for a few minutes I was Beryl Burton standing up in the pedals, climbing with a perfect new bike underneath me. I'm sure she never smiled so broadly. Nobody ever did. But she probably never had such a wonderful machine, either.

I appreciate this sport, and the collection thing, where you all have made room for everybody. There's much to appreciate in what we have here, not the least of which is improved health through a glorious ride on a sunny afternoon in the hills above Glendale, California. Even with an incorrect stem. :-)

Paulie Davis
Los Angeles